Attachable and interchangeable shoe tip device and system

ABSTRACT

The overall shoe system provides the user with options of interchanging the tips or the wearer can simply wear an open-toe shoe. The interchangeable tips can be used to accessorize the shoe can also be removed for another custom option. Furthermore, it would also be advantageous to have a device or system that has many colors, designs, and textures for a person&#39;s shoe collection. Still further, it would be advantageous to have a device or system that is durable and stable.

PRIORITY CLAIM

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/808,892 filed on Apr. 5, 2013.

FIELD

The invention relates generally to a device that allows the user the option of having one pair of shoes for more than one outfit or occasion.

BACKGROUND

People who enjoy fashion recognize the costs associated with keeping up with new trends and styles. In many instances people cannot afford to maintain a robust wardrobe, because fashion trends and changes may exceed one's financial capabilities. Additionally, the ability to change the style of a shoe for various environmental changes is also needed.

One widely-recognized solution to this conundrum is the practice of women wearing low-heeled shoes, flat shoes, or flip-flops when they leave their homes, and carrying with them additional bags on a daily basis containing higher-heeled shoes, giving them the option of switching between low and high heels throughout the day.

Others have attempted alternate solutions, whereby a single shoe may utilize an interchangeable part, such as coverings, soles and heals of different heights.

For example, Coles, U.S. Pat. No. 3,672,077 is directed to a shoe which has removable cleats attached to apertures in the sole. Each of the cleats may have a different coefficient of friction, so that by selecting specific cleats, it is said that the bowler may obtain the desired low or high traction characteristics for the sole.

Taylor, U.S. Pat. No. 4,716,664, describes a bowling shoe which has a specially designed heel and sole surface. The shoe worn on the bowler's sliding foot has a generally U-shaped heel with different outer and inner bottom surfaces. The outer bottom heel surface has a relatively high coefficient of friction as compared to the inner heel surface. The shoe for the non-sliding foot has a sole with a higher coefficient of friction and a conventional uniform heel surface.

Lind, U.S. Pat. No. 6,311,415 describes a bowling shoe with a replaceable tip comprised of a shoe upper, a shoe sole mounted to the shoe upper, and a plurality of replaceable shoe tips. The shoe sole has a selectable fraction area from a toe end and across the width of the shoe sole. Each tip has a margin substantially equal to a margin of the traction area. Each tip covers and conforms to part of the adjacent shoe upper. The surface of each tip has a different coefficient of friction. A selected tip secures to the fraction area and part of the adjacent shoe upper. The tips are interchangeable, to provide traction according to support surface conditions and an individual wearer's preference

U.S. Pat. No. 3,581,413 discloses a detachable heel for shoes such as ladies' or men's shoes that includes a means for permitting the manual locking or unlocking of the heel with respect to the shoes, so that heels can be placed or changed whenever desired or required.

In yet another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,610,100 discloses a shoe [having] a permanently affixed heel plate attached to the bottom of the heel support portion of the shoe. This heel plate contains a mortise having a decreasing transverse width from the front to the rear of the heel plate. A replaceable heel having a flat surface on one side and a dovetail on the reverse surface corresponding in shape to the opening in the mortise is slid into the mortise to be firmly seat[ed] by a friction fit on the heel plate.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,320 discloses a women's shoe with flexible shank for use with replaceable heels of different height [that] includes a sole with a forward support portion and a raised heel portion and an overlying insole. An elongated flexible spring steel shank is nested within a slot between the insole and sole and at one end anchored thereto. A high heel registers with the heel portion and interlocking fasteners upon the heel and heel portion upon limited rotation of the heel relative to the shoe removeably anchors the heel upon the shoe. The heel upon limited angular rotation and disengagement of the fasteners is adapted for removal and replacement by a low heel having similar fasteners. The shank moves within the slot to compensate for the change in height. The interlocking fasteners include opposed interconnected lock segments and anchor flanges secured respectively to the heel and heel portion. An alignment pin in the heel projects into an alignment opening in the sole preventing relative rotation of the heel and heel portion to prevent disengagement of the segments and flanges.

Still further, U.S. Pat. No. 4,670,996 discloses an article of footwear comprising a shoe having a removable and replaceable heel. Attached to the sole surface of the shoe's upper is a [sic] outwardly projecting shaft which is adapted to fit into an internal bore formed in the core of the shoe's heel member. A latch mechanism is provided for inhibiting unintended separation of the heel from the upper.

Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,058,290 discloses a high heel shoe with a self seating removable heel portion includes a shoe body having a sole portion with a toe and a heel area, the heel area being elevated substantially above the toe area so that the shoe sole is inclined between the toe and the heel and at the heel area. The heel portion of the shoe sole has a socket with a forwardly facing open end and a closed rear end, the socket having a side wall forming a continuous dove-tail joint portion. The high heel has an enlarged upper end portion with an inclined upper surface and a dove-tail locking member extends upwardly from the high heel upper end portion inclined surface, the locking member including a pedestal with a dove-tail side wall that corresponds to and registers with the socket so that the heel can be attached to the socket by moving the heel pedestal into the socket into a fore to aft direction, and wherein the heel is constantly loaded rearwardly during use insuring a seating of the heel upon the socket during use.

In another example, U.S. Patent Application 20010052195 A1 discloses a convertible shoe ensemble with a heel that is manually attachable to and removable from the shoe, and a manually attachable and removable heel cover of substantially less height than the heel for attachment to the shoe when the heel is detached.

Attempts have been made to address the change in shape of the upper of the shoe when a heel is replaced by another of a different height. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,059,068 discloses a height adjustable flexible shoe including a shoe upper portion having an open upper end, a closed lower end, and a body portion therebetween. The open upper end is dimensioned for receiving a foot therein. The closed lower end has a toe portion and a back portion. The back portion has a first heel portion extending downwardly therefrom. The body portion is comprised of an adjustable elastomeric material. A second heel portion is adapted for removeably coupling with the first heel portion of the shoe upper portion. A third heel portion is adapted for removeably coupling with the second heel portion. The first, second, and third heel portions are of substantially equal heights to provide significant control over the inclination of the shoe.

None of the examples above address the need to provide interchangeable tips to alter the color and design of a shoe without altering the overall type of footwear product. There remains, therefore, a need to provide a shoe that is capable of receiving an interchangeable tip. Therefore, there currently exists a need in the industry for a device or system to modify a shoe that allows user the option of having one pair of shoes for more than one outfit or occasion.

SUMMARY

The various embodiments of the invention advantageously fill the aforementioned deficiencies by providing an interchangeable shoe tip allowing the user or wearer the option of having one pair of shoes for more than one outfit or occasion which provides ultimate form and function.

The overall shoe system provides the user with options of interchanging the tips or the wearer can simply wear an open-toe shoe. It would be advantageous to have a device that makes it easier for users who travel in the sense that they would no longer have the need to pack a pair of shoes for every outfit or occasion. The interchangeable tips can be used to accessorize the shoe and can also be removed for another custom option. Furthermore, it would also be beneficial to have a device or system that has multiple colors, designs, and textures. Still further, it would be advantageous to have a device or system that is durable and stable.

The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the shoe tip attachment in solid lines and the shoe designated in dashed lines for clarity between the two separate elements.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the shoe tip attachment of FIG. 1, shoe tip attachment in solid lines and the shoe designated in dashed lines for clarity between the two separate elements.

FIG. 3 is a left side elevation view of the shoe tip attachment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a right side elevation view of the shoe tip attachment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the shoe tip attachment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the shoe tip attachment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the shoe tip attachment of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the Figures, where like reference numerals designate similar parts throughout the several views. Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 which illustrate a perspective view of an interchangeable shoe tip 10 attached to a shoe. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, shoe tip 10 is used with a women's high heeled shoe 10 such that it provides the user with the ability to interchange the tips of the shoes to conveniently accessorize new outfits or appearances.

Referring now to FIGS. 3-7 where a shoe tip 10 generally includes a body portion 45 and at least one locking flange 50. As shown, body portion 45 includes an exterior surface 15 that includes a top surface 17, a left surface 25 and a right surface 20 which are connected by a rear edge 35 and a bottom edge 40 with an opposed interior surface 30 each of which form a single body portion 45. Although not wanting to be bound to any particular theory, the various surfaces of body portion 45 may be made from a single molded or extruded process. In alternative embodiments the variety of surfaces may be individually cast and fastened together by known means, such as chemical welding, adhesives and the like.

Turning to FIGS. 5-7, shoe tip 10 has two locking flanges 50 protruding from the rear edge 35 of shoe tip 10. Shoe tip 10 also includes a bottom flange 60 that extends from bottom edge 40. Locking flange 50 and bottom flange 60 provide stability and durability when shoe tip 10 is integrally related to shoe 55. Locking flange 50 and bottom flange 60 may be made from a similar material as body portion 45. Alternatively, locking flange 50 and bottom flange 60 may be made of different materials, such as metal or plastic. The precise material and shape that can be used are within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.

As best shown in FIG. 5, locking flange 50 may further comprise locking protrusion 53 that provides additional stability and securement when locking flange 50 is coupled to a shoe. It would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that locking protrusion 53 could be used to press to the interior side walls of a shoe when the biased locking flange 50 is positioned in an attached position, as described below. Alternatively, locking protrusion 53 can also be positioned into an aperture that is positioned in a shoe prior to the attachment of shoe tip 10.

The shoe tip conversion system described herein can be use a number of methods that will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. In use, shoe tip 10 is positioned adjacent a shoe 55. Shoe tip 10 is positioned to align with the open-toed portion of shoe so that when attached, the shoe tip 10 and shoe would appear to be a single unitary structure. Shoe tip 10 may be squeezed to disengage locking flange 50 from shoe 55. In at least this example embodiment locking flange 50 is biased outwardly and will press along the inner surface of shoe without the need for flange apertures (described below). When locking flange 50 further includes flange protrusions 53, the flange protrusion 53 may be constructed with a small tooth or barb section to attach to the inner surface of shoe 55 in a “snagging” manner.

In at least one related embodiment, a method of using an attachable shoe tip device includes positioning a shoe tip 10 adjacent the front portion of a shoe; disposing shoe tip 10 on a portion of shoe 55 and removeably coupling shoe tip 10 to shoe. In at least this method, shoe will include flange apertures positioned below the external surface of shoe. The locking flange 50 being placed in flange aperture prevents shoe tip 10 rotation when removeably coupled to shoe 55. When a user desire to remove shoe tip 10, the user may pull shoe tip away from shoe 55.

In another related embodiments, locking flange may also include flange protrusions, as described above, where flange protrusion 53 may be fabricated in a manner to provide a snap fit locking feature when locking flange is positioned in flange aperture. In this example embodiment, shoe tip 10 may be squeezed along the right surface 20 and left surface 25 to disengage flange protrusion 53 from the flange aperture.

In related embodiments, flange aperture is connected to a ring insert (not shown) that can be used to make any shoe compatible with the attachable shoe tip. This feature will allow a user to use the shoe tip attachment system with any number of open-toed shoes without needing to purchase several flange aperture inserts or needing specialty shoes to use the shoe tip 10 device.

It should be appreciated that various attachment systems may also be used in conjunction with, or as a replacement for locking flange 50. These attachments means are within knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art, these attachment means include, snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners (such as Velcro®), hooks and the like. In other related embodiments, the attachable shoe tip is applicable to flatter dress shoes. In yet another related embodiment, the shoe tip is configurable for boots, tennis shoes, and sandals and can also have different shapes and fabrics.

Various embodiments of the invention have been described above for purposes of illustrating the details thereof and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention. The details and features of the disclosed embodiment[s] are not intended to be limiting, as many variations and modifications will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the scope of the present disclosure is intended to be interpreted broadly and to include all variations and modifications coming within the scope and spirit of the appended claims and their legal equivalents. 

1. An attachable shoe tip device comprising: a body portion and at least one locking flange.
 2. The attachable shoe tip device of claim 1 wherein said body portion comprises an exterior surface having a top surface, a right surface, a left surface and an opposed interior surface.
 3. The attachable shoe tip device of claim 2 wherein said top surface has a surface area greater than either said right surface or said left surface.
 4. The attachable shoe tip device of claim 2 wherein a portion of said top surface comprises a material selected from a group consisting of leather, rubber, suede, velvet, plastic, metal, fur and canvas.
 5. The attachable shoe tip device of claim 2 wherein a rear edge connects said top surface, said right surface and said left surface with said interior surface.
 6. The attachable shoe tip device of claim 6 wherein said rear edge is integrally connected to said at least one locking flange.
 7. The attachable shoe tip device of claim 2 wherein a bottom edge connects said right surface and said left surface with said interior surface.
 8. The attachable shoe tip device of claim 7 further comprising a bottom flange.
 9. The attachable shoe tip device of claim 7 wherein said bottom edge is integrally connected to said at least one locking flange.
 10. The attachable shoe tip device of claim 1 further comprising at least one bottom flange.
 11. The attachable shoe tip device of claim 1 wherein said shoe tip device comprises two locking flanges.
 12. The attachable shoe tip device of claim 1 wherein said shoe tip device comprises three locking flanges.
 13. The attachable shoe tip device of claim 1 wherein said body portion comprises a material selected from a group consisting of leather, rubber, suede, velvet, plastic, metal, fur and canvas.
 14. The attachable shoe tip device of claim 1 wherein said at least one locking flange comprises a metal.
 15. The attachable shoe tip device of claim 1 wherein said at least one locking flange comprises a plastic.
 16. The attachable shoe tip device of claim 1 wherein said at least one locking flange further comprises a flange protrusion.
 17. A method of using an attachable shoe tip device comprising: A. positioning a shoe tip adjacent the front portion of a shoe; B. disposing said shoe tip on a portion of said shoe; and C. removeably coupling said shoe tip to said shoe wherein said shoe tip comprises a body portion having an exterior surface said exterior surface comprising a top surface, a right surface, a left surface and an opposed interior surface and at least one locking flange and said shoe having a portion capable of receiving said at least one locking flange.
 18. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of compressing said body portion and removing said shoe tip from said shoe.
 19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the step of placing in a shoe a flange aperture capable of receiving a portion of said at least one locking flange.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein said flange aperture is coupled to a ring insert. 